TRC to host sessions on future planning in February

Most family members of individuals with special needs do a great job of providing for their disabled loved ones in the here and now, but many have not done enough planning for the future.  Planning for the long-term well-being of a family member with special needs is something most people know they should do.  But not everyone knows where to start.

The Resource Center wants to help families plan for the future.  It is never too early to start putting in place a plan for your loved one, especially since you never know when you no longer will be able to care for your loved one.  The sooner you start, the sooner you can put your mind at ease knowing that your family member’s future needs are going to be taken care of.

Many people already have asked themselves questions such as:

• Can my child lose his/her government benefits?
• What will my child do after age 22?
• Do I need to set up a Special Needs Trust?
• Who will care for my child if I am unable to do so?
• How do I choose a Guardian or Payee for my child?

To help families understand the various types of future planning that should be done, TRC has partnered with a firm called The Buffalo Agency to offer families some strategies and training on how to plan for the future.

The Buffalo Agency’s Special Care Planning Team helps families address the following critical areas:

• Life care planning
• Government program integration
• Family dynamics
• Legal and tax issues
• Financial resource management

The Buffalo Agency’s Special Care Program encourages communication among a family’s network of advisers; provides information, education, resources, and specialists; and offers customized options that create financial and legal strategies unique to each person’s situation.  The Special Care Planning Team, along with its legal and tax professionals, help families:

• address current and future issues
• uncover potential planning pitfalls
• create a Special Care Vision
• identify guardianship needs
• prepare wills and other legal documents
• identify financial resources
• coordinate assistance programs
• determine current and future plan/care costs
• implement needed strategies
• prepare a letter of intent
• determine the appropriateness of a Special Needs Trust
• identify trustees, guardians and future caregivers
• hold family meetings

To help families better understand the future planning process, representatives of The Buffalo Group will make themselves available to share information and answer questions at two meetings.  On Wednesday, February 1, they will be available from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Resource Center’s Administrative Offices, 200 Dunham Avenue in Jamestown.  On Wednesday, February 8, they will be available from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Connections North Center, 10825 Bennett Road (Route 60) on Dunkirk.

Both sessions will be held in conjunction with TRC’s month Parent for Parents support group meetings.  The support group portion of the meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:00, and newcomers are invited to attend.

For more information, phone (716) 483-2344.